Free 1998 Ford Contour VIN Decoder

How to decode a 1998 Ford Contour VIN

Characters 1-3 of a 1998 Ford Contour VIN

A World Manufacturer Identifier (WMI) is part of the initial sequence of the Vehicle Identification Number (VIN), specifically the first three characters, which indicates the vehicle’s manufacturer, country of manufacture, and vehicle type. For the 1998 Ford Contour, manufactured by the Ford Motor Company, the relevant WMIs are “1FA” for vehicles produced in the United States and “3FA” for those manufactured in Mexico. These identifiers denote that the vehicle is a passenger car made by Ford, with “1FA” vehicles assembled in Dearborn, Michigan, USA, and “3FA” vehicles in Rioverde, S.L.P., Mexico. This distinction in WMI is essential for understanding where the vehicle was manufactured, its manufacturer, and its type, providing crucial information for regulations, standards, and tracking.

List of WMI Codes for a 1998 Ford Contour

WMI: 1FA

• Model Years Covered: 1995-2000
• Example VIN: 1FAFP68G1WK182658
• Manufacturer Name: Ford Motor Company
• Vehicle Type: Passenger Car
• City: Dearborn
• State or Province: Michigan
• Country: United States

WMI: 3FA

• Model Years Covered: 1995-1996, 1998-2000
• Example VIN: 3FAFP66L1WM136692
• Manufacturer Name: Ford Motor Company, Mexico
• Vehicle Type: Passenger Car
• City: Rioverde
• State or Province: S.L.P.
• Country: Mexico

Characters 4-8 are the Vehicle Descriptor Section (VDS) of a 1998 Ford Contour VIN

These characters correspond to components like:

• Engine type
• Transmission
• Model or trim
• Body style
• Gross vehicle weight range

Below find the known vehicle descriptor codes for a 1998 Ford Contour:

Auto manufacturers have some discretion to decide how they want to code this section, but its contents and decoded results are generally consistent.

Character 9 is the “check digit” in a 1998 Ford Contour VIN.

Based on a formula developed by the US Department of Transportation, it helps reduce fraud by ensuring the validity of the VIN.

10th Character in the 1998 Ford Contour VIN — Year Code

11th Character in the 1998 Ford Contour VIN — Plant Code(s)

Known 1998 Ford Contour Assembly Factory VIN Code(s)

VIN Characters 12 - 17 of a 1998 Ford Contour

The final 6 characters in a 1998 Ford Contour’s 17-digit VIN are its serial number, which will be unique to every vehicle.

Check your Ford Contour’s VIN below:

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What info can a 1998 Ford Contour VIN reveal?

• Model Year: The VIN can reveal the vehicle’s model year as 1998, providing insights into the age and potential market value of the vehicle.
• Vehicle Type and Body Class: The Ford Contour is classified as a Passenger Car with a Sedan/Saloon body style, offering insights into its general shape and utility.
• Engine Specifications: The engine features a 2.0-liter displacement, an In-Line configuration, and is made by Ford with an output of 130 horsepower. It operates with a Dual Overhead Cam (DOHC) valve train design and supports up to 4 cylinders.
• Fuel Type: The vehicle runs on Gasoline as its primary fuel source, giving a glimpse into its efficiency and environmental impact.
• Safety Features: Standard safety features include front airbags located in the 1st Row (Driver and Passenger) and manual seat belts, enhanced with 3-point belts in all outboard positions for added security.
• Manufacturing Details: The Ford Contour was manufactured in Kansas City, Missouri, United States, suggesting the geographic origin of this specific vehicle model.
• Vehicle Identification: The provided VIN, 1FALP6530WK140454, encodes crucial information about the vehicle, such as its specific model, engine type, and production details.

Sample VIN Decode Report for a 1998 Ford Contour